STAFF AND LOCATIONS

Carol Rybarski
ESL Teacher
Highland Park High School
(214) 780-3790
rybarsc@hpisd.org

Barbara Wisener, Ed.D.
ESL Teacher
Highland Park Middle School/McCulloch Intermediate School
(214) 780-3668
wiseneb@hpisd.org

Lauri Pulliam Kennedy
ESL Teacher
UP Elementary
(214) 780-3495
kennedla@hpisd.org

*All elementary students enrolled in the ESL program enroll in University Park Elementary.

ESL teachers teach all ESL classes. In addition, they administer language proficiency tests to those students who have a language other than English. They are members of the Language Proficiency Assessment Committee and maintain the paperwork associated with this committee.

The ESL program is designed to teach English language skills to students who are non-proficient in the English language. The purpose of the program is to enable limited English proficient students to become competent in the comprehension, speaking, reading, and composition of the English language and to participate equitably in school.

Students who speak another language in their homes are tested for oral English proficiency.

The following oral tests are used:

Kindergarten - Pre-LAS
Grades 1-6 - IDEA IPT 1
Grades 7-8 - IDEA IPT 2
Grades 9-12 - LAS

Students completing second grade and older also need to prove proficiency in reading and writing by scoring at the 40th percentile or above on a TEA-approved standardized test or by passing the TAAS Test. Additional information about the student's reading and writing level is sometimes obtained using the IDEA 1 and 2 Reading and Writing Tests or the LAS Reading and Writing Scale.

All ESL students in grades 3-12 (except those who enrolled as recently as the previous January) take the Reading Proficiency Test in English (RPTE). Students who achieve advanced rating on the RPTE will be required to take only the TAAS Test in subsequent school years.

LPAC responsibilities include:

• Reviews all pertinent information on all limited English proficient students;
• Designates the language proficiency level and academic achievement level of each student;
• Designates (subject to parent approval) initial instructional placement in the ESL program;
• Reviews students' progress and designates appropriate instruction;
• Classifies students as English proficient in accordance with state guidelines;
• Monitors the academic progress of students who have exited the ESL program for a period of
two years;
• Grants exemptions from TAAS in accordance with state guidelines; and
• Facilitates the participation of limited English proficient students in other programs
for which they are eligible.

PROGRAM DESIGN

At all levels intensive survival English is provided for the real beginning ESL student. This is designed to provide basic survival vocabulary, speaking, listening, reading, and writing in English. In grades 9-12, English I for Speakers of Other Languages and English II for Speakers of Other Languages is available for state graduation credit for ESL students who are immigrants. In grades 5-8, ESL classes continue to develop vocabulary, listening, speaking, reading, and writing, and offer the English Language Arts TEKS at the appropriate level for the student's proficiency in English. The number of periods of ESL is designated by the LPAC. The program at the elementary level is a pull-out program. The amount of time in the ESL classroom is designated by the LPAC. After learning basic survival English, the ESL student continues to develop listening, speaking, reading, and writing in English. The English Language Arts TEKS are offered at a level appropriate for the student's proficiency in English. The program is designed to meet the linguistic, cognitive, and affective needs of the student.

ESL students are eligible for modifications as appropriate in the regular classroom. The ESL teacher reinforces content area vocabulary and provides linguistic support to help the student be successful in the regular classroom.

Students with disabilities may receive ESL services if they are eligible. If an ESL student is receiving special education services, a professional member of the LPAC serves on the admission, review, and dismissal (ARD) committee of each student.

Students who have a home language other than English on their Home Language Surveys are tested for eligibility for the ESL program. If the student is eligible, parents are notified, and permission to participate in the ESL program is sought. The LPAC determines the language level and academic achievement level of the student from all relevant data. The LPAC then determines the amount of ESL instruction each child should receive.

The flowchart for the ESL program provides the map for the process to be followed for a student being considered for eligibility for the program. View

The LPAC reviews all cases at least annually or as needed.

All records are kept in the student's permanent record folder.

All ESL teachers have ESL endorsements and have training in the administration of the tests given. ESL teachers are expected to stay current in their field and in state regulations by attending conferences such as the TexTESOL conferences and workshops such as those sponsored by Region 10, Texas Education Agency (TEA) Education Service Center located in Richardson, TX.

In addition to HPISD technological resources and those offered by Region 10, the following are available to the ESL teachers:

Parent Involvement

Parents are encouraged to become involved in the PTA and the many activities they sponsor. They have the opportunity to serve as parent representatives on the LPAC. The teacher welcomes the parent as a partner in the education of the student and encourages the parents to take an active interest in the student's education.

Parent Training, Resources, and Support

The parent representative member of the LPAC receives training in the duties of the committee and the state regulations governing ESL education. In addition, the parent is knowledgeable of the program design in the school. The resources for this training are provided by Region 10.

"Meet the Teacher Night"

All parents of ESL students have an opportunity to learn about the program. From time to time, when there has been a need, parent classes have been held to teach English to non-English speaking parents.

To view a glossary of ESL terms and acronyms, click here.